Tuesday's letters: Farm bill

Published: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, July 29, 2013 at 5:16 p.m.

To the editor: Earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives, on a party-line vote, broke with tradition by stripping from the farm bill the Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps). What’s left in the bill is billions of dollars of subsidies mostly for farming conglomerates. The U.S. Senate passed a much more balanced bill last month. The farm bill sets U.S. agricultural, food and resource conservation policy for the next five years.

Over the past 18 years, our government has doled out an average of $7 billion per year of taxpayer funds to support the livestock and dairy industries. Instead, their products should be taxed to reimburse state and federal governments for the uncounted billions in increased medical costs and lost productivity associated with their consumption. Conversely, a sound national nutrition program based on vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fruits, and nuts can save additional billions in reduced social costs.

I am all in favor of reducing our national deficit, government waste and medical costs. But that’s not going to happen by taking nutritious food from the mouths of 47 million of our society’s least privileged members.

Bobby Richardson

Mill Spring

An abomination

To the editor: Right on, Mr. Bart Bohnen! (July 18 letters to the editor). Hendersonville now has a “gigantic molar” as the gateway to the city. The stone foundation is completely out of proportion to what is being called the copper mountain. Are the roots supposed to be tree roots? Because I don’t think a mountain has roots, but a molar does!

The roots, too, are out of proportion and therefore look like (yuk!) snakes, or perhaps the beginning of a mountain creature ready to take over the city. There’s such a thing as artistic license ... but really now!

Not only is the design an abomination, but the execution of the design is poor. There are seams with gaps where the copper meets the stones. And the slits for the water to emerge just made me laugh. Couldn’t a crag or two have been fashioned in order to hide where the water comes out?

I believe I remember reading that the second sculpture design was turned down because the artist wouldn’t change some of the elements the panel suggested. This panel of judges has no right to tell an artist how to improve his work. It wasn’t even able to choose one appealing design, as is evident with “Mount Molar”!

Vicky Lieber

Hendersonville

A city jewel

To the editor: Tom Orr did a wonderful job of writing about the McClintock clock, a Hendersonville jewel at the corner of Fourth and Main. It is in need of work to restore it to its former glory.

We hope you will show your commitment by making a donation. Mark Ray of Dad’s Cats is spearheading this effort. Donations can be dropped off or sent to the store at 221 N. Main St. Checks should be made out to McClintock Clock.

Our City Council has expressed an interest in matching our funds, so let’s show it how much we care.

Nancy Pew

Hendersonville

Voter fraud?

To the editor: Does anyone else find it amusing that those alleging significant voter fraud in our elections are the candidates who won those elections?

Well, I suppose they would know if their victories were fraudulent. I suggest they do the honorable thing and all of them resign to protest their fraudulent election. I am not holding my breath.

<p>To the editor: Earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives, on a party-line vote, broke with tradition by stripping from the farm bill the Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps). What’s left in the bill is billions of dollars of subsidies mostly for farming conglomerates. The U.S. Senate passed a much more balanced bill last month. The farm bill sets U.S. agricultural, food and resource conservation policy for the next five years.</p><p>Over the past 18 years, our government has doled out an average of $7 billion per year of taxpayer funds to support the livestock and dairy industries. Instead, their products should be taxed to reimburse state and federal governments for the uncounted billions in increased medical costs and lost productivity associated with their consumption. Conversely, a sound national nutrition program based on vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fruits, and nuts can save additional billions in reduced social costs.</p><p>I am all in favor of reducing our national deficit, government waste and medical costs. But that’s not going to happen by taking nutritious food from the mouths of 47 million of our society’s least privileged members.</p><p><em>Bobby Richardson</em></p><p><em>Mill Spring</em></p><h3>An abomination</h3>
<p>To the editor: Right on, Mr. Bart Bohnen! (July 18 letters to the editor). Hendersonville now has a gigantic molar as the gateway to the city. The stone foundation is completely out of proportion to what is being called the copper mountain. Are the roots supposed to be tree roots? Because I don’t think a mountain has roots, but a molar does!</p><p>The roots, too, are out of proportion and therefore look like (yuk!) snakes, or perhaps the beginning of a mountain creature ready to take over the city. There’s such a thing as artistic license ... but really now!</p><p>Not only is the design an abomination, but the execution of the design is poor. There are seams with gaps where the copper meets the stones. And the slits for the water to emerge just made me laugh. Couldn’t a crag or two have been fashioned in order to hide where the water comes out?</p><p>I believe I remember reading that the second sculpture design was turned down because the artist wouldn’t change some of the elements the panel suggested. This panel of judges has no right to tell an artist how to improve his work. It wasn’t even able to choose one appealing design, as is evident with Mount Molar!</p><p><em>Vicky Lieber</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><h3>A city jewel</h3>
<p>To the editor: Tom Orr did a wonderful job of writing about the McClintock clock, a Hendersonville jewel at the corner of Fourth and Main. It is in need of work to restore it to its former glory.</p><p>We hope you will show your commitment by making a donation. Mark Ray of Dad’s Cats is spearheading this effort. Donations can be dropped off or sent to the store at 221 N. Main St. Checks should be made out to McClintock Clock.</p><p>Our City Council has expressed an interest in matching our funds, so let’s show it how much we care.</p><p><em>Nancy Pew</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><h3>Voter fraud?</h3>
<p>To the editor: Does anyone else find it amusing that those alleging significant voter fraud in our elections are the candidates who won those elections?</p><p>Well, I suppose they would know if their victories were fraudulent. I suggest they do the honorable thing and all of them resign to protest their fraudulent election. I am not holding my breath.</p><p><em>Ronald Evilia</em></p><p><em>Flat Rock</em></p>